Following almost annihilating the planet, the relatives are allies’: the thrilling audio series from John F. Kennedy and Khrushchev’s relatives.

During the month of October 1962, the planet veered nearer toward destruction more so than ever in modern times. This transpired when an American surveillance aircraft discovered the fact that Soviet atomic missile installations were being built on Cuba, less than 160 kilometers from the United States. Reacting to this, U.S. President John F Kennedy commanded a naval task force to enact a maritime quarantine around Cuba. The next phase constituted nearly 14 days of impossible stress.

An Catastrophic Threat

The danger remained palpable. If Kennedy, or else the Russian opposite, Nikita Khrushchev, initiated an attack against the other side, a series of global nuclear strikes followed by retaliatory strikes might have followed, thrusting humanity into all-out ruination.

The October crisis has been examined endlessly, in books, movies, and TV documentaries. However, in its latest installment, a prominent BBC World Service podcast titled "The Bomb" has brought a completely new perspective into this historical narrative. It is co-presented featuring Kennedy's relative and Khrushchev's descendant, family members of the figures who, for 13 days, held the fate of the world in their hands.

"What was the Soviet side planning? What were the American side thinking?" asks Khrushcheva, Khrushchev’s descendant who is also an academic specializing in global relations.

For her, the strength of the podcast lies in its endeavor to question: "Why do people detest one another to the point they confront one another?"

"I am acutely aware how spectacular the fact that people have the potential to be friends or have the potential to be complete adversaries," adds Kennedy, son of RFK, related to JFK and currently an author and lawyer. "History shows this over and over in instances where countries enter into conflict, and it just illustrates the profound irrationality it is to engage in warfare."

The Precipice Towards Catastrophe

What is remarkable regarding this event is that, because it unfolded so publicly, individuals globally could watch almost in real time while it crept closer to disaster. However, the danger of destruction was more imminent than anybody realised.

"Almost all officials in the White House wanted a military strike and an invasion," says Max Kennedy. "If we had struck the Cubans with the naval blockade, undoubtedly the Russians stationed there would've deployed a tactical nuclear weapon at the US Sixth Fleet, and that would have obliterated the naval vessels as well as destroyed our primary naval force. And, we would have responded through massive retaliation which would have ended most life on Earth."

The reality it didn’t stands as credit to both leaders, they succeeded in remain calm while engaging in diplomacy at a time when many advisors in their governments demanded military action. Consequently, Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the nuclear weapons from Cuba and Kennedy (a fact not publicly disclosed then) withdrew his similar weapons based in Turkey. The relief was palpable, matched by a feeling of optimism.

A Divergent Perspective

Yet, for those 13 days of October 1962, the anxiety was felt by everyone. The Bomb’s co-hosts were born shortly after the crisis, and Khrushcheva learned about it via the USSR's school curriculum, which portrayed a slightly different picture of what happened.

"You said your father recalls it, and it was a frightening day," Khrushcheva notes. "But for Soviet citizens, the public were largely unaware that much regarding the crisis, since it was a tense situation, and in the Soviet Union the official line was that things are always wonderful or positive."

Inside Khrushchev’s family, though, it was different. "I was informed what a great moment it was, as it represented eyeball to eyeball. They were able to find a solution, and avoided the war, which was a positive outcome," she adds. Later on, though, that view would not be shared by all Russians. "For a long time within Russian historical analysis, the crisis was viewed as a failure for Khrushchev, simply he didn’t blow up America."

An Unlikely Collaboration

The Bomb is remarkably balanced , expertly crafted so much so that Nina quips it almost made her forget the known the ending. This effect is, in part, thanks to the participation of renowned scholars. But, really, the most significant aspect remains the involvement of the descendants. Even within living memory, it was unthinkable that descendants of the heads of state of the United States and Soviet Union to appear side by side. The fact that Max Kennedy and Nina Khrushcheva are able to do so, and exhibit such warmth with each other, has to be a sign of optimism.

"We are not the first," notes Khrushcheva. "After 1991, my uncle Sergey Khrushchev’s son and became great friends with the former president's family."

"However we were strangers before the podcast," adds Max. "Which is a shame since we got along immediately and we are friends, which is wonderful. Ultimately, after nearly 60 years since almost destroying the world, our families have become allies, so I think the world is safer, a little bit."

Modern Echoes and Current Perils

Or is it? Part of why this series feels so necessary is because we once again are living in dark times. The Doomsday Clock stands nearer to midnight than ever before, partly since today's statesmen appear not to have the capacity to learn